CHIPS & PUTTS

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936

VOL. 22 NO. 5 July 2016

July Meeting Jack Frost National Host: Bryan Nuss

Jack Frost National is located in Blakeslee, PA, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. The course is situated on over 200 acres and was planned as the centerpiece of a housing development. The course was de- signed by Terry LaGree who has designed other courses as well, including Royal Oaks Course in Florida, along with Pennbrooke Fairways, Diamond Players Club, and Citrus Hills, all located in Florida.

Since opening in 2007, Jack Frost National has been credited with quite a few accolades, some of which include Top 20 New Course 2009 by and being named a Top 10 Course to Play in PA 2010 by Golfweek. Jack Frost is designed with five sets of ranging from 5129 yards all the way up to 7256 yards for the daring. With all the elevation changes in the area, the course was designed with no blind shots, which takes a bit of doing considering the rocky terrain.

The course is managed by Billy Casper Golf which has a few courses in Pennsylvania in its portfo- lio. Bryan Nuss is the superintendent and has been there since the grow in started in 2005. Bryan started at Pocono Farms C.C. as the assistant superintendent and then moved on to be the superintendent at Timber Trails G.C. before coming to Jack Frost National.

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President's Message..... Officers & Directors

2016

This is shaping up to be an interesting summer in Northeast Pennsylvania. Temperatures have been bordering near the 90’s for the last few weeks. Rain fall in some areas has been scarce. We have seen less than 2” of rainfall since June 1 in parts of the Clarks Summit area.

PRESIDENT The July meeting is right around the corner. Hopefully, the weather Greg Boring, C.C. of Scranton will give us a break and allow us to take some time and enjoy the company of 570-587-4046 our colleagues. The Annual Meeting will be next month during the VICE PRESIDENT Clambake. If any of you have any desire to be on the Board of Directors, Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak C.C. please contact me directly. The meeting and election will take place at next 570-586-5791 month’s meeting. We will also be announcing our Scholarship winners early TREASURER next month. Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249

Hang in there. Football season is right around the corner. SECRETARY Chris Moran, Honesdale C.C. 570-253-9094

DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. Greg Boring 973-418-3468 Corey Pries, Powell’s Excavating 570-762-0394 Ron Garrison, Fox Hill C.C. 570-655-1065 Jerry Decker, Elkview C.C. 570-282-3080 ______

Editor’s Notes…..

CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF

EDITOR Well it’s July…..the month where everyone starts to question why Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 we do what we do. Overall, the year’s been manageable. Let’s hope it stays [email protected] that way. Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky Reprinting a great article from the USGA on green speed that has 570-388-2167 been making the rounds on social media. [email protected]

Keep sending those pictures…..

Brian Bachman

PTGA Office 309 Terrace Avenue Harding, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167

Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and/or person quoted, and may not represent the position of PTGA. Information contained in this publication may be used freely, in whole or in part, without special permission, as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line.

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Why Can't Green Speeds Remain Constant?

Fri Jun 17 05:34:00 EDT 2016 From the USGA

It’s a beautiful fall day with cool temperatures and low humidity; you are playing golf and marveling at the condition of the course, particularly the pace of the putting greens. Some golfers might be inclined to just enjoy the moment. Others will wonder why the greens can’t play like this all the time. There are a myriad of variables that affect turfgrass growth and putting green speed; and, what is possible to achieve at one time of year under certain conditions may be impossible at other times.

Unquestionably, the biggest variable affecting turf health and playability is weather. Air and soil temperatures both have a tremendous impact on turfgrass growth rates. So do moisture and hu- midity. Rain or irrigation events, particularly when combined with a fertilizer application, can stimu- late extra growth. This effect can be magnified under warm conditions with the result being in- creased surface resistance and reduced ball roll. Similarly, hot, humid conditions cause turfgrass leaves to retain moisture and remain fat, and this also may result in reduced green speed. Converse- ly, dry, windy conditions can cause the turf to wilt which can reduce surface resistance and increase putting green speeds. Putting green speed will vary from day to day merely as a result of weather influences and the seasonal changes turf undergoes.

Maintenance practices also have major effects on putting green speed. Mowing and rolling operations increase putting green speed. Applications of topdressing, needed to dilute organic matter and smooth putting green surfaces, can initially slow putting green speeds. A day or two after a top- dressing application, putting green speeds often get faster than they were prior to the application.

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Ripley, a long time employee since 2006, has just been promoted this year to be Bryan's assistant.

Bryan has a state of the art maintenance facility which was built during construction and is home to all of his equipment. The Club is equipped with a wash station and storage bins for materials also located in the maintenance area. The maintenance building is a spacious 5500 square feet.

Bryan has a crew of 11 in the summer and a winter crew of 2. They are charged with caring for 3.5 acres of greens, 3 acres of tees, 30 acres of fairways and 65 acres of maintained rough. The course has low mow bluegrass fairways with tees and of course bentgrass greens seeded with A-4.

The course features a practice area of 10 acres including a putting green, chipping green with a sand bun- ker, a short game area, and a including a sand bunker.

Make sure you come on out and enjoy this great !!

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June Meeting Results

1st Place Closest to the Pin T.J. Hart, Nick Skins Barry Goodhart, Tom Wilchak Tom Collum Bob Brown - 2 Eagles #8, #17 Tom Collum - Hole in One #14 4th Place Closest to the Pin Brian Bachman - Birdie #16 Jeff Smolha, Darrin Snyder Jeff Smolha Darrin Snyder - Birdie #2 Jeff Smolha - Birdie #12 7th Place Longest Jim Hill, Frank Miner T.J. Hart Jim Green, Gregg Kozar

Photo of the Month We all see interesting things every day….wildlife (like bald eagles and bears), strange turf problems (like a lightning strike), an employee who stayed out too late the night before, etc. So if you have a great photo, send it to me ([email protected]) and share it for everyone to enjoy (or laugh at).

July Photo of the Month

Remember….when in bear country, close your windows if you have food in the truck!!

Thanks Les Lear for this gem of a picture!!

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Continued from page 3 The same often is true of vertical mowing and brushing. Practices that stand the turf up aid in controlling the development of grain and can improve the quality of cut, but these practices can slow putting green speed for a day or two before stimulating an increase.

Many other factors affect turfgrass growth. Growing environments, soil conditions, and applications of plant growth regulators, plant protectants, and fertilizer are just a few. Anything that affects turf growth is likely to affect putting green speed. Golf course superintendents constantly juggle maintenance practices with the weather to maximize playability and maintain consistency. Despite our scientific training, modern equipment and experience, it is impossible to maintain a consistent putting green speed every day of the season.

The question is, why would we want golf courses to play the same way every day? Adjusting one’s game to the conditions and varying setup are some of golf’s greatest attractions. Golf courses cost a lot to maintain, and if consistency is so important, a cheaper alternative would be to move the game indoors. Golfers could use simu- lators and hit off of artificial surfaces into nets in climate controlled environments. This would ensure absolute consistency and eliminate the variable effects that come from wind, rain, temperature, maintenance practices, course set up, etc.

Fortunately, most golfers believe that playing the game outside in a natural setting is part of golf’s charm. Varying how courses play through setup and having to adjust one’s game based on the weather and playing con- ditions makes the game infinitely interesting and challenging. Rather than considering green speed and other as- pects of playability as factors that should be kept as constant as possible, look at their changing effects as a bless- ing that continually adds interest and new challenge to a wonderful game.

Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS

AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE William Mast 610.327.3390 John Deere Brent 570.499.1441 Air2G2 John Downer 570-840-0078 Turf Equip. and Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Les Lear 570.903.8412 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801

PLANT PROTECTANTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 EQUIPMENT Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 William Mast 610.327.3390 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Air2G2 John Downer 570-840-0078 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Les Lear 570.903.8412 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436

SEED & SOD Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 FERTILIZER Coombs Sod Farms John Downer 570-840-0078 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Plant Food Co., Inc. Tom Weinert 914.262.0111

TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 GREEN AND SUPPLIES Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Fertl Soil John Downer 570-840-0078 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801

Support our Sponsors - They support us!

POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA SCHEDULE

July 19 PTGA Meeting @ Jack Frost In Memory National

As a reminder, the August meeting at Aug 2-3 Rutgers Field Days Glenmaura National will be held in Jim MacLaren’s memory. Aug 10-11 PSU Field Days

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Aug 15 PTGA Annual Meeting and Pocono Turfgrass Scholarship in Jim’s name, can send a check payable to PTGA, c/o Melinda Clambake Wisnosky, 309 Terrace Avenue, Harding, PA 18643. Glenmaura National Please note on the check that the contribution to the Meeting to be held in Memory of scholarship is being made in Jim’s name. The total Jim MacLaren amount contributed will be announced at the August meeting. Sept PTGA Meeting @ Mount Airy

Oct PTGA Meeting @ Blue Ridge Trail

POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION

R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING,POCONO PA 18643 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA 18643

PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167

WEBSITE: ptga.org

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